Intestine epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate inflammation induced by TcdB through the activity of TGF-β1.

Background: infection (CDI) has been primarily associated with the toxin B (TcdB), one of the three known protein toxins secreted by , which can activate the intestinal immune system and lead to pathological damage. Even though the biological functions of intestine epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (I-Evs) have been well documented, the role of I-Evs in the process of CDI is still unknown.

Objectives: The protective effect of I-Evs against TcdB was investigated both in cultured murine colon carcinoma MC38 cells and a mouse model used in this study.

Genomic evolution and virulence association of sequence type 37 (ribotype 017) in China.

sequence type (ST) 37 (ribotype 017) is one of the most prevalent genotypes circulating in China. However, its genomic evolution and virulence determinants were rarely explored. Whole-genome sequencing, phylogeographic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted for ST37 isolates.

Exposure to phthalates is associated with grip strength in US adults.

The potential association of exposure to phthalates with muscle strength was reported in previous animal experiments. However, their association was rarely directly investigated in general populations. Thus, we aimed to ascertain the association of exposure to phthalates with grip strength using cross-sectional analysis which included 2436 individuals aged ≥ 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2011-2014.

NFIB functions as an oncogene in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and is regulated by miR-205-5p.

Nuclear factor I/B(NFIB) is a prominent transcription factor that plays a critical role in cancer progression. In this study, we found that the protein level of NFIB was significantly upregulated in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer tissues compared to matched adjacent noncancerous tissues while the NFIB mRNA expression level was not obviously dysregulated. Similarly, ER-positive breast cancer cell line, MCF7 express a high protein level of NFIB, while the mRNA level is not significantly upregulated.

A New Method of Using Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Precipitation of Macroprolactin to Detect Genuine Hyperprolactinemia.

Background: The most commonly used method of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation for macroprolactinemia (MP) screening has some significant drawbacks. The aim of this study was to establish a new method using PEG for precipitation of macroprolactin (macroPRL) to detect genuine hyperprolactinemia (genuine HP).

Methods: The optimal PEG concentration for precipitation and the effect of PEG on the precipitation of PRL were analyzed to establish and optimize our PEG precipitation method.

Decreased Tim-3 expression is associated with functional abnormalities of monocytes in decompensated cirrhosis without overt bacterial infection.

Background & Aims: Patients with advanced cirrhosis usually exhibit altered monocyte function. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional changes of monocytes are poorly understood.

Methods: We investigated the role of T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) in regulating monocyte function in 94 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DC-LC) (decompensation was defined by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or upper gastrointestinal bleeding), 58 with compensated liver cirrhosis (C-LC) and 52 healthy controls (HC) by characterizing the frequency of Tim-3(+) monocytes, their phagocytosis capacity, HLA-DR expression, cytokine secretion and MAP kinase activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Resveratrol reduces the proinflammatory effects and lipopolysaccharide- induced expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 in RAW264.7 cells.

Background: Resveratrol (Res) is a polyphenol anti-inflammatory agent. We have studied the link between the anti-inflammatory effects of Res and the high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) signaling pathway.

Methods: Murine macrophage-like RAW264.

Association between Mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus infection: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The results of studies on the relation between Mannose-binding lectin gene (mbl2) polymorphism and HBV infection were contradictory and inconclusive. In order to shed a light on these inconsistent findings and to clarify the role of mbl2 polymorphisms in susceptibility or progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a meta-analysis was performed.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for available articles.

[Alteration of mi-RNA expression profile after interferon treatment in HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells].

Objective: To screen the mi-RNA expression profile after interferon treatment in cells infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods: Huh-7.5.